The Legacy of Leadership Fund Providing Support for UM Camp/Retreat Leaders and Ministries

We successfully launched the Legacy of Leadership Fund in 2003. Today, we are seeking to expand the fund for the continuing education and development of those serving in camp and retreat ministry and to enhance camp and retreat experiences that specifically nurture leaders for the church and the world. All of us have people who have blessed our lives and contributed to our becoming the leaders we are today. I invite you, now, to pause to give thanks for the people who nurtured you and your leadership, both living and deceased. The Legacy of Leadership Fund gives you the opportunity to name and honor the people who have contributed so much to your own leadership, and at the same time it provides an avenue for you to give critical assistance for the training and spiritual growth of those who will lead United Methodist camp and retreat ministry into the future. You can be a part of all the lives drawn closer to God and changed for the better through experiences provided by recipients of the fund. Current funding is very limited. It is heart-wrenching to have to tell gifted people that the support they need is not available. We can change this through expressions of thanksgiving and generosity. My wife and I will be making another donation; and we hope you will, too. Here's how the new fund works. For every $50 dollar contribution to the Legacy of Leadership Fund, you can name and honor one person or a couple who made a difference in your life and leadership. ALL the money you give will go to the crucial preparation of key volunteers and staff who continue the legacy of leadership of UM camp/retreat ministry and to support camp/retreat ministry endeavors geared to preparing spiritual leaders for the church and society. Note: Those of you will be attending the National UM Camp/Retreat Leaders' Event in January 2005 will be given the opportunity to make pledges to the Legacy of Leadership Fund, so please prayerfully consider what God might be enabling you to share for this extremely important cause. Givers and Honorees for 2003-2004 Thanks so much to all the donors for your contributions and for all those named for their inspiration of others. Lisa Jean Hoefner contributed in honor of: BOB CAGLE, for being a premier teacher and introducing me to April Hall Cutting, encouraging and supporting me to enter camping ministry full-time, leading the SOLES program at Suttle Lake, giving national prominence to our ministries. CAL CRAMER, for establishing a solid base for camping ministries at Sky Lake (Wyoming Conference) and encouraging leaders by his teaching and example. MEL MOODY, for drawing me and so many others into leadership, for caring by being a strong advocate and visionary in the national office. ETHEL JOHNSON, for pioneering leadership as the first Director of Sessions Woods Camp in CT (NY Conf.), Dir. of Christian Ed, in NY Conference, now supporting Africa University. LILLIAN HUSSEY, for demonstrating that women can lead by directing at Camp Quinifet (NY Conf.) in my childhood and later years. Sandy Sisson contributed in honor of: All the camp and retreat leaders who give their gifts and energy to enrich people's lives. Jan Thomas contributed in honor of: WAYNE THOMAS, for great support as my husband and friend, who sacrificed a lot so I could do what I do. MEL MOODY, for encouraging me in becoming a camp director. J. FRANK DENNIS, for hiring me for my first camp ministry position — look where it led. BOB GALLOWAY, who encouraged me to follow my dream and is a spiritual strength. CHUCK KISHPAUGH, for encouragement and friendship, and leading as national staff for UM Camp/Retreat Ministries. ROGER PARKER, my CIT leader in high school, now colleague and friend. KEVIN WITT, for being a leader of integrity and sensitivity. ROBERT AND FRANCES CARPENTER, my parents, who always made sure I got to camp! Kevin and Joanne Witt contributed in honor of: DEBBIE MACWILLIAMS, for introducing me to a great Christian heritage in creation spirituality. TED WITT, for launching Share Our Worlds and for being a seminary CR ministry instructor. AUGIE AND AIMEE TWIGG, for recognizing gifts of a youth and calling me to lead. ALLEN SIMONS, for helping me weather difficult days as a CR leader. GARY AND SHARON CONOVER, for being mentors and models of Christian leadership. Steve Zekoff contributed in honor of: These three people who have been tremendous leaders and a great encouragement to me: REV. CLAIR DEMMING, REV. ART CAMPNEY, REV. DAVE SCHAR April Hall Cutting in honor of: BOB CAGLE, for modeling full-time camp and retreat ministry and calling so many into it. LISA JEAN HOEFNER, for her openhearted response to God's possibilities and willingness to take risks to inspire action. Roy and Beth Quist in honor of: NEIL ALEXANDER, for mentoring us in CR Ministry by example and support. REV. BOB STOPPERT, for demonstrating leadership and support in CR ministry. Dave and Sharron Schar in honor of: MEL AND SALLY MOODY, for advocating for directors and managers skilled in both management and ministry and for helping to launch national training for UM Camp and Retreat leaders. ROBERT "BING" CROSBY, for being my most influential counselor when I was a youth and for bringing decentralized camping to The United Methodist Church. REV. BILL TOMLINSON, for being a major volunteer leader in Iowa camp and retreat ministry and bringing back training from L.B. Sharp to strengthen Iowa UM camping and Wesley Woods. DEE HAYES, for being in ministry as a very effective volunteer at Wanakee in Ohio and raising scholarships for inner-city children and youth; for advocating evangelism and faithfully praying for our family. REV. STAN WIERSON, for following a vision of God to establish a Summer Games Christian Sports Camp that has lasted 22 years and produced countless leaders committed to Jesus. JOHN AND ISLA BINGLE, for more than 25 years of asking "How do we help campers accept Jesus into their hearts?" For giving generously of time, money, and prayer in support of camp/retreat ministries locally and nationally. DORIS SCHAR, for years of volunteer camp counseling and always encouraging me and others to go to camp. She watched our children so we could attend training events and was a constant support. Eugene Westley in honor of all UM Camp/Retreat Leaders. Eugene served with his wife Helen as a missionary in Nigeria, at Camp Findley, at Christian Camping International, at Red Bird Missionary Conference, and at Mount Misery. He sends this message with his contribution: "I appreciate all the work to establish a certification in Camp and Retreat Ministries. I send this contribution in support of colleagues currently serving in UM Camp and Retreat settings. I had such good years in camping and want to assist and encourage new leaders to make the extra effort to learn and gain certification. May the Lord continue to bless you!" Words of Thanks from Two Recipients of Legacy of Leadership Funds: "Thank you so very much for the scholarship to help me attend the Camp and Retreat Ministry Certification Classes. I am so amazed at how much I have learned and grown. I look forward to the day I am able to give back to the Legacy of Leadership Fund in order to help others. Thank you!" — CM "Thank you so much. Your generous support and partnership make all the difference for me and for other leaders who want to learn and grow, but who do not have the means to fully afford the training. Thousands of lives will be touched by God's love through the leadership you are nurturing by your monetary gifts. These courses are building a community of leaders with the commitment and excitement to grow in Christ and lead United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries into a bright future." — DJW | Camp/Retreat Memo Contents | National Training Event | | Latest Research | The Legacy of Leadership Fund | | The Legacy of Leadership Fund Donation Form (in pdf format) | Camp/Retreat Ministry Certification | Share Our Worlds Concludes | Honoring Retirees | Honoring Colleagues Who Have Died | | Resources | Mark Your Calendars | | Camp/Retreat Memo Archives | |Camp and Retreat Ministries Home |